If it seems like the lineup for the 2018 Topeka Boat and Outdoor Show is all over the map, it’s because it is — by design.​“Yes, there is something at the show for all those that love Kansas outdoors,” said Phil Taunton, organizer and host of the What’s in Outdoors radio program on KVOE-AM (1400) in Emporia.

Hayden High School senior Thomas Heinen, of Topeka, Kan., discussed Z-Man Fishing Products and how best to utilize the company's lures to catch big bass during a recent Q&A with Josh Rouse. (Photo by Josh Rouse)

Hayden senior Thomas Heinen, who won the first Kansas BASS Nation high school qualifier of the year with teammate Brock Bila, of Overland Park, this year earned a sponsorship from Z-Man Fishing Products. A sponsorship is a big deal for a high school angler, and he took the time last week to talk shop in a Q&A session with The Topeka Capital-Journal. Heinen discussed his preferences when fishing with Z-Man products and how he likes to work them to catch big bass consistently, as well as the pride he felt in being sponsored by a company he has used for many years:

​Q. When did you find out that Z-man wanted to sponsor you and what was your reaction?

​Sometimes, the story that comes out of a hunt is every bit as good as the hunt itself.

​Larry Shipman and his 17-year-old grandson, Kaleb, had one of those hunts recently on the opening day of the youth turkey season. The pair was hunting in Osage County with Shipman’s older grandson Austin, who’s 22 years old and had been wanting to take Kaleb youth hunting the past couple of years.